This plant produces good yields of tomatillos. It has a fruity taste that is similar to that of pineapple or blueberry, and excellent for making fruit salsa or a unique jam. The small, cherry size fruit turn from green to yellow/coral when mature. They are surrouded by a papery husk that turns from green to brown as they ripen and splits open when they are ready to harvest. They are even better when they drop from the plant. Very easy to grow and fun for kids.

Family: Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Physalis (fy-SAL-is)
Species: ixocarpa (iks-so-KAR-puh)
Cultivar: Pineapple

Category:
Annuals
Edible Fruits and Nuts
Vegetables

Height:
6-24 in. (15-60 cm)

Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Danger:
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested, only harvest ripe berries

Bloom Color:
Yellow

Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall

Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Days: 70 days
Size: Indeterminate
Season: Mid-Season
Seed Type:
Open-pollinated Heirloom

Other details:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting:
Properly cleaned and fermented, seed can be successfully stored